Spread It Around & Food Gal Contest
Mayo, mustard, and tapenade.
Been there, ate that.
If you’re looking to spice up your sandwiches with new flavor and flair, look no further than Laxmi’s Delights flaxseed spreads.
Made by Bay Area cookbook author Laxmi Hiremath, who wrote “The Dance of Spices” (Wiley), the three organic spreads are made with flaxseed, a plant source high in good-for-you omega-3 fatty acids.
Hiremath sent me a sample to try. There are three flavors: Lemony Flaxseed Spread with Ginger and Honey; Savory Flaxseed Spread with Sun-Dried Tomatoes; and Golden Flaxseed Spread with Dates and Orange Juice.
Hiremath created these bold-tasting spreads to smear on Indian flatbreads. But they also work well on your favorite sandwiches, as stir-fry sauces, marinades for fish, and flavorings for all manner of vegetable dishes.
The Lemony Flaxseed Spread is tangy, sweet, and spicy with the bright sunny notes of citrus. The Savory Flaxseed Spread is like Italian meets a little bit of India. Sweet, plump sun-dried tomatoes get an earthy complexity from Indian spices. The Golden Flaxseed Spread is a cross of Middle Eastern and Indian flavors. A little sweet and a little savory, this quite thick sauce has the lovely, deep, concentrated flavors of orange peel and sticky dates.
One tablespoon has 30 to 100 calories, depending on the particular spread. The sun-dried tomato spread has 10 grams of fat, while the other two have just 1 gram each.
Each 7-ounce jar is $9.99. If you’d like to try them, Hiremath has a deal for you: If you order three jars, she’ll waive the cost of shipping, if you mention you read about the spreads on FoodGal.com. Just go to the “contact” page on the Laxmi’s Delights site to order by sending her an email or calling.
Even better, one lucky Food Gal reader also will win the grand prize of three free jars of the spreads (one of each type).
How?
By spreading it on, so to speak.
As a woman, and a minority one to boot, I know first-hand how uncomfortable and uncouth it is to boast about one’s accomplishments. From a young age, so many of us are taught to downplay our skills and talents, lest we be judged conceited, shameful and boastful. I can’t tell you how utterly uncomfortable I was the first time I had to ask for a raise from a boss.
After all, my Chinese-American parents had always taught me that all you needed to do is work hard and do your best to reap the rewards deserved. But of course, you soon realize that in the real world, that’s not quite the case. It takes selling yourself. It takes bragging about yourself. It takes broadcasting your attributes and feats to kingdom come, no matter how that might turn your stomach.
So here’s your deserved chance, not only to get more comfortable doing that, but also to spread the word about something you are darn proud of about yourself.
Name one to three things you want to spread the word about yourself that you take great satisfaction in. They can be food-related or not. Go ahead — you deserve this opportunity to take a small bow just this once about the things you have mastered with head held high.
The most original or memorable response will win the three Laximi’s Delights spreads. Contest is open only to readers in the continental United States.
Deadline: Noon California time on Jan. 31.
Winner Announced: Feb. 1.
To get you started, here are the things I’m proud of that I’d like to spread the word about:
1) I don’t give up — not until I give it 100 percent.
2) My home-baked cookies can make friends smile, swoon and forget their troubles — at least for a moment.
3) In a little over a year, I lost my father, my mother and my job — but I never lost my sense of self.
Wow! I want those spreads. I especially like the lemony and savory spreads…but I wouldn’t turn any of them down.!
Here are three things about me that I am very proud of:
1. I started college at the ripe age of 36 and earned my master’s degree by the time I was 43..all the while working full time and raising two kids.
2. I had a tough childhood..but it made me empathetic and wise beyond my years.
3. I take pride in making a fine meal..using locally grown ingredients whenever possible and supporting locally owned grocers, restaurants, and farmers.
I’m with you! I have a hard time singing my own praises… but I am worth it! My 3 things:
1 – I followed my passion for once instead of worrying about the obstacles in my path and made a very special trip to Thailand and Laos over the New Year. Am living without regrets!
2 – I am a damn good photographer when I want to be: http://picturethislao.blogspot.com/
3 – I am comfortable in my own skin, at long last. I’ve said goodbye to eating disorders and body dysmorphia; embracing my physical strength.
The last few years have taught me more than all four+ decades preceding them. (“Never Too Old to Learn” files.)
1) Though I applied for a food-related fellowship which I did not win, the application process vaidated that my collective experiences and talents (photgraphy, writing, graphic design) are worth at least one college degree, if not a Masters as well. I overcame 30 years of self-recrimination for not having finished college at Prestigious University. I am at peace with myself about something that was once a horrible scar.
2) My passion and skill for networking (good people with other good people, good things, etc.) is a constant gift that supports my community, especially as it centers around sustainable food systems.
3) The commitment to raising our grandson has deprived us financially in the extreme, but the rewards are infinite…from his lilting voice to his velcro-hugs, to the praise we get from everyone in the family services system here in Santa Cruz county. We have not only saved a life, we have planted love in a superstar who clearly gives it back to his own friends and family on a daily basis. (Secret side effect? I’m younger than I was five years ago!)
I have to agree about coming from an Asian American family boosting of self gloating was not part of the personality. However, I learned it is important to be assertive so people will take notice of one’s intention.
The honey and ginger sounds like a low calories way to add onto some roasted chicken breast.
The spreads sound great! And I love your creative contest. Okay, here are three things I’m proud of:
1. In my 30s, I made a career change and pursued what I’m truly passionate about (teaching). It was truly one of the best things I’ve ever done, and I LOVE teaching my classes;
2. I work hard at keeping my children’s cultural backgrounds alive (through food, language, art, etc.) but always try to make sure that it’s fun and not “work” for them;
3. I’m getting better at being more relaxed, less “Type A,” more balanced.
1) give people the benefit of doubt. For instance, if another driver cuts my husband off in traffic, I make excuses for that driver. “Maybe they have children in the backseat who are distracting her/him!” I suggest.
2)No matter what life throws my way (and my life wasn’t always easy, for instance my father left us when I was
was 13), I vow not to become bitter and hardened to life.
3) I’m very sensitive and empathetic. I’m usually the first to notice when someone is upset or needs help.
This was fun. I should do this more often 🙂
For a chance at these savory spreads, I’ll happily set aside modesty:
1) After someone actually paid me for something I wrote, I finally let myself believe that I am a good writer.
2) I’ve finally learned to stop apologizing and being embarrassed over non-existent shortcomings.
3) I trained our Boxer to nudge chimes hanging on the door when he needs to go out. So now, when the dog rings the bell, I come runni- . . . wait a minute . . .
Well as the deadline is looming, I might as well throw my hat in the ring:
1. I moved to Paris at the age of 24 on my own. No friends, no job, no course enrolled on and no place to live. I stayed 6 years and climbed to the top of my career ladder there. Proud of that.
2. I am currently undertaking my (6 year, part-time) PhD as well as working full time and working my way through a Food and the Media Certificate. I am nothing, if not busy! As I am about to turn 40 this year, I think it’s quite the accomplishment to be starting new things..
3. After having really gotten into yoga in the past 4 years, I am really starting to learn to “let go” of the little things and try to look at the big picture. Not easy, getting there!
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Contest is now closed. Thanks to everyone for participating. The winner will be announced on Monday.
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